Mandela and then-wife Winnie raise their fists to salute the cheering crowd after his release from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990. It was his first taste of freedom in 27 years.
Supporters gather around a car carrying Nelson Mandela moments after his release from the Victor Verster prison in Cape Town, South Africa.
Mandela delivers his first public speech in Cape Town, South Africa a few hours after his release from prison.
Crowds in Cape Town took to the streets to celebrate Mandela’s release on February 11, 1990.
A jubilant supporter holds up a newspaper on the day of Nelson Mandela’s release from Victor Verster prison in Cape Town, South Africa.
Supporters wait for Mandela during his visit to Soweto.
Nelson Mandela and then-wife Winnie attend a mass rally in Orange Free State, South Africa.
Supporters arrive at a rally for Nelson Mandela in Orlando Stadium February 20, 1990 in Soweto Township, South Africa.
Supporters cheer for Nelson Mandela at a rally in Orlando Stadium February 20, 1990 in Soweto Township, South Africa.
A month after his release, Nelson Mandela began his tour of Africa with a stop in Zambia where he met then-president Kenneth Kaunda.
Mandela met with Namibian president Sam Nujoma shortly after his release.
African National Congress supporters welcome Nelson Mandela as he arrives in Zimbabwe on March 4, 1990.
Nelson Mandela and then-wife Winnie Mandela attend a concert at Wembley Stadium in London on April 16, 1990 in honor of his release.
Continuing on his tour of Africa, Nelson Mandela met with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak three months after his release from prison.
Nelson Mandela met with then-United States President George Bush at the White House on June, 25, 1990, four months after his release from prison.
Nelson Mandela visited New York in June. He urged the United Nations to maintain sanctions against South Africa until apartheid is abolished.
